Convertible couch bed



J1me 1953 I. HOOPINGARNER 2,640,997

CONVERTIBLE coucu BED Filed Feb. 26, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 KT "1 F Q Q a & INVENTOR. k ISABEL HOOPINGARNER l :z a

ATTORNEYS June 9, 1953 l. HOOPINGARNER 2,640,997

CONVERTIBLE coucu BED 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26, 1947 llllllllln... I Y\\ INVENTOR. ISABEL HOOPINGARNER ATTORN EYS June 9, 1953 l. HOOPINGARNER 2,640,997

v CONVERTIBLE COUCH BED Filed Feb. 26, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N we INVENTOR. ISABEL HOOPINGARNER ATTORNEY I. HQOPINGARNER CONVERTIBLE COUCH BED June 9, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 26, 1947 INVENTOR.

ISABEL HOOPINGARNER 44 n4 ae,

ATTORNEY P'atented June 9, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONVERTIBLE COUCH BED Isabel Hoopingarncr, Dallas, Tex.

Application February 26, 1947, Serial No. 731,017

'7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to convertible couchbeds and more particularly to improved operating mechanism for such devices permitting the use of modern box spring construction which is characterized by spring and mattress structure having substantial depth and a generally rectangular form.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved convertible couch-bed structure in which the seat part, including the couch seat and substantially half of the bed structure, is independent of the couch frame so that it can be used if desired apart from the couch frame and wherever desired, but which is capable of nesting with the couch frame to constitute the seat of the couch when desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved convertible couch-bed construction in which the movements required for the conversion of the couch into a bed structure are to a great extent the natural movements of a. person without mechanical skill and without any specific knowledge of the operating mechanism of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified convertible couchbed construction in which the mechanical operating mechanism is entirely concealed within one of the end frame parts of the couch structo constitute a continuous box spring mattress bed affording all of the comfort commonly associated with that type of body structure.

Further objects will more particularly appear in the course of the following detailed description.

Four sheets of drawings accompany this specification as part thereof, in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation view of the improved couch-bed partly broken away to show details;

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical cross section taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1, partly broken away to show details of construction;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the couch converted into bed form, partly broken away to show details of construction;

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical cross section taken on line 44 of Figure 5;

Figure 5 is a vertical cross section taken .on line 5--5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective of the right hand end of the couch frame broken away to disclose details of construction;

Figure '7 is a. transverse vertical cross section in perspective showing thevparts assembled as a couch;

Figure 8 is a cross section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 3, and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan of the assembled back and seat mattress and spring sections, which mattress and spring sections are shown as transparent by the dotted linesto show the bottom connecting devices in detail.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings the improved convertible couch-bed is illustrated as an independent piece of furniture, but it Will be understood that in lieu of the frame elements herein illustrated, the operating mechanism and the mattress and spring parts can be constructed as part of a building to provide a built-in piece of furniture suitable for small apartments and the like.

Referring to the drawings, a suitable couch frame is illustrated comprising end elements I of comfortable arm heighth associated with a back 2. l The end sections 1 are formed with double spaced walls 3 and 4, a bottom 5 and top 6, forming box-like structures adapted to contain elements of the operating structure.

Extending forwardly from the back 2 is a base or seat shelf 50, the ends of which are spaced from the inner walls 3 of the end parts of the frame to permit the legs H] of a frame structure including a shelf or base SI for the seat S, to nest within the couch frame, as is Well illustrated in Figure 7. The seat frame is supported by casters ll positioned under each of the legs Ill, and this seat frame with its spring and mattress construction is independent of the couch frame and can be entirely removed from same and used wherever desired independently of the couch frame or of the back mattress and spring structure B.

The back spring and mattress structure B is substantially the same size and construction as the seat spring and mattress section S and is fixedly secured to a back base 60. The back base is in turn slidably associated with an intermediate base 54 having a rearwardly disposed flange fil as by means of slots 53 cut through the intermediate base 54 and bolts 55 extending through the slot 53 into base member 60 and associated with compression springs 56 extending lengthwise of the slots 53, and anchored as at 57 in the rear end walls of these slots. By reason of this structure (see Figure 8) it will be apparent that normally the base 60 of the back B will be drawn approximately to the rear or right hand end of slot 53 by spring 56.

Secured to the forward edge of the intermediate base 54 .as by brackets 30 is a shaft 2| extending lengthwise of the couch frame and having its ends extended into each of the end structures I through a slot 20 provided in the inner walls 3 of each of these end parts.

Within each of the end parts I are provided oppositely disposed pairs of rails 22 extending parallel with the slots 20 between which rails 22 are positioned rollers 23 mounted 'on shafts journalled in carriages 24, each of which comprise spaced end frame members which further provid journals for the ends of the shaft 2!. Such carriages are positioned one in each end of the frame to support the opposite ends of the shaft 21, but on the right hand end carriage are provided bearings 26 for an operating shaft 21 formed with a worm 28 and 'a crank handle 29. The worm 28 engages a quadrant gear '25 fixedly secured to that end of the shaft 2| so that by rotation of the handle 29 shaft 2| can be rocked and with it intermediate base 54 from a vertical to a horizontal position, .or vice versa, as desired.

Mounted at spaced intervals adjacent the back 2 and rear edge of the shelf or base .59 are a plurality of pivot bolts 34 upon which are pivotal'ly mounted horizontally disposed levers 52 formed on their forwardly extending legs with cam fins 35. The opposite arms of these levers '32 are pivotally connected as at 33 'to a connecting rod '81 extending the length of the couch and projecting at one end into an end frame member I where it is pivotal'ly connected as at 35 to a lever 31 fixedly secured to the top of a vertically extending shaft 38 journaled as at 33 to the inner wall 3 of that end section, the bottom of shaft 88 being provided with a lever 41] p'ivotal'ly connected to a forwardly extending rod 4] (see Figure 6), which connecting rod 4! is pivoted at its forward end to an operating lever '42 positioned adjacent the forward end of the end frame section 'I by the manipulation of which lever '42 it will be apparent that the levers 3'2 can be simultaneously and selectively adjusted from operative position at right angles to "the "back '2 or to inoperative position parallel with said back, as desired.

To permit ready access to the operating lever 42 and crank 29, the forward wall of the right hand end section is provided with an orifice or doorway *8 and a door closure 9 hinged with respect to the forward 'wall 1 of the end section. A similar doorway is provided on each end section to permit access either for operation or oiling the carriage structures.

'To removably associate the seat mattress and spring section S and the backmattress and spring section B, a zipper attachment, comprising the two strips -12 and 13 are sewed respectively to the rear upper edge of the seat section S and the forward bottom edge of the back spring and mattress section when the latter is in its normal position as a back, and to further secure these two spring and mattress sections in operative relationship to constitute a bed, these two sections are further provided by hook and eye connections illustrated in Figure 9, comprising eye elements l4 and hook elements (*5 positioned in longitudinal alignment and at spaced intervals and operable by manipulating the seat section with respect to the back section when the latter is in its horizontal position. The sections are locked in connected position by an end connecting member comprising one element I6 having spaced eyes and another element I! having a single eye adapted to nest between the spaced eyes of member 16, these eyes being interlocked by a removable pin it :accessible at one end of the device when the back section is extended to its forward position.

The automatic extension of the back section to its full forward position required to permit access to the interconnecting means thus described, is provided by forming notches 52 at spaced intervals in 'the rear edge of the intermediate shelf 54 through which the cam fins 35 can operate upon the base 60 of the back mattress and spring section B as the latter approaches its horizontal position, thus automatically forcing said back mattress and spring section forwardly with respect .to the intermediate section "54 against the tension of the compression springs '55, as is Well illustrated in Figure .3,

This movement of the back mattress and spring section is achieved automatically where the back section is moved (forwardly in its vertical position and then lowered against the outwardly adjusted cam fins 35, as suggested in Figure .3, or alternatively, the back section can be moved forwardly and then rocked to its horizontal position after whichmanipulation of the lever 4-2 will spring fin cams 3.5 from their position parallel with the back to their position perpendicular to the back, thereby exerting .a cam action and achieving the same result of forcing the back mattress and spring section forwardly to its fully extended forward position in which it .is accessible for interconnection with the seat mattress and spring section, as previously described.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that to convert the couch-bed of the construction .described from its .adiustment as a .couch as illustrated in Figure 7, a person without mechanical skill and unfamiliar with the operating mechanism will actually proceed .in the natural manner suggested by the object desired. The seatsection will be drawn forward to free the couch frame. Thereafter the back mattress and spring section will be drawn forward, being slidably supported by shaft 2| which is in .turnsupl orted by the carria es 24 in :the endsections of the-couch frame. The back spring andmattress section having been drawn forward .to its forward position, operation of the .crank handle 2.8 will rock the back spring and mattress section to its horizontal position, and assuming that the lever 42 has been manipulated to swing the fin cams 35 into operative position, the mattress will be forced into .its fullforward position by engagement of the rear edge of the base 60 with these cams .as it approaches the horizontal position. Alternatively, if the cams have not been previously adjusted to operative position they may thereafter be swung into operative position and will similarly operate to force the back spring and mattress section to its full forward position. Thereafter, "the seat mattress and spring section will be pressed against the horizontally disposed back spring and mattress section, the hook-and eye connections M and It on the bottom edges of these elements be intercugaged and locked in such engagement by the pin I8 inserted through the end eye elements I16 and I1. Thereafter, the zipper strips l2 and 13 will" be connected, thus securing-the two springand mattress sections .in close; secure relationship to constitute a full width bed with their abutting perpendicular walls in close relationship, as is well illustrated in Figure 2.

The drawings herein are toa large extentdiagrammatic and no attempt has been made to show ornamental or bracing details which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim:

1. Combined couch-bed comprising a relatively fixed frame including an upright rear member and spaced end members extending forwardly from said rear member, cooperating seat and seat back units forming a seat when angularly disposed and a bed when in a common plane, said seat unit being floor supported independently of said fixed frame, nesting therein between said end members and reciprocable toward and away from said rear member, said frame including an intermediate horizontal support for said seat back unit, the latter unit having a normal upright position in which it is supported by said rear member, said seat back unit being freely slidable forwardly relative to said horizontal support while upright, to a position in spaced relation to said rear member, means for rocking said seat back unit to a rearwardly inclined position while so spaced from said rear member, and means for forcing said seat back unit forwardly as it approaches the position of common planiform relationship to said seat unit.

2. Device of claim 1 in which the seat back unit is rigidly associated with a shaft extending between the end members of the frame, the ends of said shaft being journaled in carriages slidable but not rockable with respect to said end members, one of said carriages having interengaging gearing connecting the shaft to an operating member whereby the shaft can be partially rotated to rock the seat back unit from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa.

3. In a convertible couch-bed having a frame with end and back parts, a combined mattress and spring back part including a base upon which the spring and mattress are supported, a base associated with the frame extending forwardly from the frame back and having its end-s spaced from the end parts of the frame, a movable base slidably associated with the mattress and spring base, said movable base fixedly secured to a shaft extending lengthwise of the frame with its ends extending into the end parts of the frame, rollermounted carriages one in each end part of the frame, guide rails in each end part of the frame engaging opposed sides of the carriage rollers to prevent rocking of said carriages, journals in said carriages for the ends of said shaft, operative means carried by one of said carriages for rotating the shaft, spring means interconnecting the base associated with the spring and mattress and the movable base biasing the mattress base back on the movable base, cam means pivotally mounted on the frame arranged when rotated to positions perpendicular to the back part of the frame to force forwardly successively the movable base and the mattress base, and means for selectively positioning said cam means in said operative position perpendicular to the back frame member and inoperative position parallel with said back frame member.

4. Convertible couch-bed comprising a frame having a back, double wall ends and a base raised above the floor ahd extendingforwardly from the back with its ends spaced from said frame ends, a removable mattressand spring seat part including a base and supporting legs with casters, said seat part nested inth'e frame-to form .a couch seat with its legs between theframe base and frame end parts, a mattress and spring back comprising. a base .on which said mattress and spring structure is mounted, a movable base secured to but slidable.- with respect to the mattress and spring base, spring means biasing the mattress and spring base backtowardthe frame back with respect to said movable base, said movable base position ,between the mattress and spring base,

and theframe base and slidable on the latter, a rodbxtending lengthwise of the frame back, a plurality of spaced cam carrying levers mounted on the frame base adjacent the back, said levers pivotally connected to said rod, operating means in one of the frame ends for transmitting axial movement to the rod for operating said levers from positions parallel with the back to positions perpendicular thereto, a shaft extending lengthwise of the frame with its ends extending into the frame ends, said shaft fixedly secured to the movable back base, spaced, opposed guide rails mounted on the inner faces of the frame end walls, roller supported carriages one in each end frame part slidable between said rails, journals on said carriages for the ends of said shaft, and means carried by one carriage for rocking said shaft.

5. Convertible couch-bed comprising a frame having back, ends and a seat shelf extending from the back and spaced from the ends, a removable seat including a caster supported frame nested in the frame, a back cushion and mattress including a base to which the cushion and mattress structure is secured, a supplementary base slidably attached to said base and slidable on the seat shelf, said supplementary base pivoted with respect to its forward edge, means for rocking the supplementary base on its pivots, and means engageable with the cushion and mattress base to slide same forwardly with respect to the supplementary base as the latter is rocked from vertical to horizontal position.

6. A combination couch-bed comprising a frame including two spaced parallel end arm parts rigidly associated to leave the floor space therebetween and adjacent each of them unencumbered, a back conforming in size and shape with the space between the end parts, supported by and between said end parts in a normally vertical position and freely slidable in said vertical position between the front and rear of said end parts, means for rocking said back part when adjacent the front of said end parts into a horizontal position between the end parts and a seat including a caster-supported frame conforming in size and shape with the space between the end parts and nested in the couch frame to constitute the couch seat but freely movable therefrom when desired.

7. A combination couch-bed comprising a frame including two spaced parallel end arm parts rigidly associated to leave the floor space therebetween unencumbered, a back conforming in size and shape with the space between the end parts, supported by and between said end parts in a normally vertical position and freely slidable in said vertical position between the front and rear of said ends parts, means for rocking said back part when adjacent the front of said end parts into a horizontal position between m 1mm. 1; max a m Number sunno md frame wntnrming in aim and zshame 19.362116 with dmwpace the and and mm 2, 2 ,411 in the couch fume in constitmze the couch lsegit but freely movaaule hherei-rom'when desired, and 5 means for detachably conneszting :the .front edge Number of :the back part when in its horizontgl position 321,325 with edge or the pan when moved nut $194 543 of 'the firame-mconstitute a bed. $4 .3-

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